Jersey Joe Walcott
The life story of the Legendary Jersey Joe Walcott,
an original master of the sweet science of boxing .
He was christened Arnold Raymond Cream, but he would be known to millions by a far more famous name and title.“Jersey Joe Walcott the Heavyweight Champion of the world”.
Born into incredible poverty Jersey Joe Walcott
began boxing at the age of sixteen to help feed his hungry family. He climbed into the ring on countless occasions with little management, a stomach growling from hunger, and at times was rushed into fights with only a day or two notice.
Without proper handling, training or money Jersey Joe struggled for ten years and took some frightful beatings. Finally fed up with it all he quit the ring and gave up his boyhood vision of winning the heavyweight title. He eventually found a wartime job at the shipyards and settled
in.Years passed and so did the dream he shared with
his late father of winning the championship.
It wasn’t until destiny stepped in, and a chance meeting
with local fight promoter Felix Bocchicchio, that Walcott’s fortunes turned around.Felix recognized in Walcott what others had missed, a potentially great fighter with an iron
chin and a hard punch.Bocchicchio talked Walcott out of retirement and convinced him to give boxing one more chance.Jersey Joe agreed.With a proper team of handlers behind him Walcott embarked
on one of the greatest comebacks in the history of boxing, and a journey that
would become legendary.
Fighting in arguably the greatest era ever, the golden age
of boxing from 1920 to 1955, the crafty fighter battled for 21
years before finally capturing the heavyweight crown at the advanced age of
37, and at the time he was the oldest man to win the coveted title.
During his climb to the top Jersey Joe fought some of the
most feared contenders of his time.Fighters like Curtis “the
Hatchet Man”Sheppard, Elmer “Violent” Ray and “Tiger” Jack Fox.Not
only did he defeat the best contenders he also fought some of the greatest
champions of all time.He brought the great Joe Louis to the edge of
defeat, knocked out the authentically great Ezzard Charles and gave the
indestructible Rocky Marciano the toughest fight of his career.
His victories didn’t end in the ring.After
retiring from boxing Jersey Joe became the first African American to become
sheriff of Camden County and the first boxing commissioner of New
Jersey.In old age he was inducted into the international boxing
hall of fame and became boxing royalty.
“Walcott was one of those who “missed” early success,
and had a rough time till he “made it.” He was a true“Cinderella Man”—much
more so, I think, than Jimmy Braddock.” -- Herb Goldman, boxing historian
“Jersey Joe was a gentleman, a hard working guy, a genius
of the boxing ring and a truly all time great fighter.” - Peter Marciano, Rocky
Marciano’s younger brother
an original master of the sweet science of boxing .
He was christened Arnold Raymond Cream, but he would be known to millions by a far more famous name and title.“Jersey Joe Walcott the Heavyweight Champion of the world”.
Born into incredible poverty Jersey Joe Walcott
began boxing at the age of sixteen to help feed his hungry family. He climbed into the ring on countless occasions with little management, a stomach growling from hunger, and at times was rushed into fights with only a day or two notice.
Without proper handling, training or money Jersey Joe struggled for ten years and took some frightful beatings. Finally fed up with it all he quit the ring and gave up his boyhood vision of winning the heavyweight title. He eventually found a wartime job at the shipyards and settled
in.Years passed and so did the dream he shared with
his late father of winning the championship.
It wasn’t until destiny stepped in, and a chance meeting
with local fight promoter Felix Bocchicchio, that Walcott’s fortunes turned around.Felix recognized in Walcott what others had missed, a potentially great fighter with an iron
chin and a hard punch.Bocchicchio talked Walcott out of retirement and convinced him to give boxing one more chance.Jersey Joe agreed.With a proper team of handlers behind him Walcott embarked
on one of the greatest comebacks in the history of boxing, and a journey that
would become legendary.
Fighting in arguably the greatest era ever, the golden age
of boxing from 1920 to 1955, the crafty fighter battled for 21
years before finally capturing the heavyweight crown at the advanced age of
37, and at the time he was the oldest man to win the coveted title.
During his climb to the top Jersey Joe fought some of the
most feared contenders of his time.Fighters like Curtis “the
Hatchet Man”Sheppard, Elmer “Violent” Ray and “Tiger” Jack Fox.Not
only did he defeat the best contenders he also fought some of the greatest
champions of all time.He brought the great Joe Louis to the edge of
defeat, knocked out the authentically great Ezzard Charles and gave the
indestructible Rocky Marciano the toughest fight of his career.
His victories didn’t end in the ring.After
retiring from boxing Jersey Joe became the first African American to become
sheriff of Camden County and the first boxing commissioner of New
Jersey.In old age he was inducted into the international boxing
hall of fame and became boxing royalty.
“Walcott was one of those who “missed” early success,
and had a rough time till he “made it.” He was a true“Cinderella Man”—much
more so, I think, than Jimmy Braddock.” -- Herb Goldman, boxing historian
“Jersey Joe was a gentleman, a hard working guy, a genius
of the boxing ring and a truly all time great fighter.” - Peter Marciano, Rocky
Marciano’s younger brother